I and my wife were at Vrindavan, the holiest of holy places, but our minds remained distracted, dwelling on the misbehaviors of a co-pilgrim, an acquaintance. He, like us, had joined Radhanath Swami’s entourage of students and friends on this pilgrimage. But some of his rude activities and behaviors made him an odd man out.
One day at Vrindavan we met Radhanath Swami in his room and spewed out a barrage of complaints about our co-pilgrim. He silently listened, the expression on his face veiling any of his thoughts. Once we were finished, and were all ears to hear his response, he took us on a pilgrimage. Through his words he journeyed us to those holy moments of the past when the saintly qualities of our co-pilgrim had shined out. His sincere words of appreciation for him pierced through the layers of negativity that had clouded our minds and a feeling of guilt arose in our hearts: “how lowly of us to have highlighted the faults of such a wonderful person”.
As we hung our heads in shame, Radhanath Swami concluded with a confession. “I once judged a person wrongly when I was boy. Since then I have stopped judging people.”
– Dr. Mukunda Shanbhag
136 replies on “Radhanath Swami takes us on a Pilgrimage within a Pilgrimage”
Radhanath Swami once said, if we judge others, then Krishna will judge us. He is so expert in always focussing on the good qualities of others
Wonderful story with Radhanath Swami.
Radhanath Swami always highlights the good qualities of a person and makes him feel very special.
Maharaj has amazing quality and we just pray so that we can adopt such qualities in our life and make our life successful.
Radhanath Swami is really very unique……Where in this world will we find a personality like him….he has no complaints against anyone…..he overlooks all negative qualities of a person & glorifies even he has little good quality……
This quality of Radhanath Swami has touched the hearts of thousands of people all around the world. T
To not criticize someone/judge someone is indeed tough. One has to be really realized to achieve this state. Radhanath Swami is following what he is teaching!
radhanath swami is pure in heart.
There is always a lot to learn from Radhanath Maharaj.
Very nice. I once read a quote from Mother Teresa which is similar what Radhanath Swami has said.
If we try to judge a person, we dont have time to love him.
Radhanath Swami has so much purity at heart. He could have scolded Dr Mukund Shanbag for judging others – but then he would be judging Dr Mukund!
He so graciously convinced them and ended with his own confession – even a stone heart would like to melt seeing such qualities of a sadhu…
thank you very much. Hare Krishna.
Radhanath Swami has so many good & pure qualities that it is not possible to keep a count of them, infact it would be easier to keep count of the opposite which would stand at ‘0’.His dealings with all are so crystal clear and the love and care that comes forth from him leaves one astounded.
Saintly exalted personalities like Radhanath Swami always sees the good qualities in us, which is so minute in comparison with the negatives we possess. Otherwise, we have no hope to stand in front of these saints.
Thanks for the valuable lesson Maharaj
Thank you so much for sharinig this.
Radhanath Swami is an emblem of “never to find faults in others”. Even though someone’s faults are so evident, only he can manage to delve deeper and find his good qualities.
Taking only a positive things from all living entities
As Radhanath Swami says …
WE judge other by actions and ourself by intentions
Buut it should be the other way round
Thanks you swami ji for wonderful lesson of not judging others
Simply great. Radhanath Swami has this very special quality of putting across the very important but difficult aspects of devotional life in a extremely loving, effective and Amazing manner. Thanks for sharing this.
such powerful lesson !!
This is the most simplest but the most difficult instruction to follow. May Maharaj empower us so we may live by his instructions. Hari Bol!
Maharj has the ability to just take the best in each, nurture and groom every individual just perfectly to be able to present to the Supreme Lord. He can melt the hardest of stony hearts and make them as soft as butter to be able to offer to Krsna. This is reflection of His purity and Radharani’s unceasing mercy on him. We are blessed to receive his shelter.
Judging a person with our impure consciousness leads to offend that person. Thanks to Radhanath Swami for his realization even when he was a boy. Better to purify our consciousness.Thanks a lot.
A great quality that can be emulated! Thank You Radhanath Swami 🙂
Thanks for Posting such nice Articles on Maharaj.
Our perception depends on through which glass we look at world. Radhanath Swami has perfect vision. He focuses on good qualities only.
Krsna says in Bhagavad Gita,”Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged indevotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.(BG9.30)” Radhanath Swami is strict follower of scriptures and previous teachers.
What a special Story about Radhanath Swami unknown before! Thats His nature & quality of a true saint !
Thanks for sharing it !
Radhanath Swami is like that bumble bee in search of nectar which looks out for flowers even in a garbage dump. I am truly touched by this beautiful quality of Radhanath Swami
Radhanath Swami has this amazing quality to give a patient hearing and resolve the issue in such a fine manner.
Truly wonderful. Worth following in our lives.
At every moment of our life, we judge people around us, disturbing our relation with others, but Radhanath Swami is teaching such an important lesson with his own example.
Radhanath Maharaj shows us the path to treat and not judge people externally. Its this quality of Radhanath Swami which makes every body feel at home.
wonderful
very nice
Radhanath Swami is in fact repeating the words of Bible “Don’t judge others. Otherwise, thou shall be judged”. He once told that if we start judging others by there bad qualities, then what will happen if God starts judging us. And if essentially we have a habit of judging, the only entity we can judge is OURSELVES.
Thanks for your nice comments…..
Radhanath Swami has imparted lessons from this incident in such a caring manner.He didnt hurt Dr.Shanbhag ,at the same time he took care of him by making him realize the glories of the other person. All glories !!
I pray to devotees and Maharajas that I imbibe this quality and cease from being judgemental of everyone. thanks very much , I need etch this incident in my mind forever
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Judging others is so dangerous.
Thanks for sharing such a practical experience. Very fortunate to know about a person who sees only good qualities in them. Thanks for sharing.
Radhanath Swami lives by the highest principles expected of an advanced saint but he has no expectations from or judgements on anyone else.
How pure Maharaj is? wonderful… awesome
Radhanath Swami’s statement about his once judging someone wrongly is still ringing in my years. I’ll also try to stop judging others from now-on.
I would first thank Prabhuji for sharing such a valuable experience with HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj..it really needs too much courage to share one’s such experience with all others. But we all are really grateful to Prabhuji for helping to deliver our Guru Maharaj’s teachings for our spiritual benefit. Really if we are not merciful towards others then how can we expect Krishna to shower his mercy on us. Thank you Maharaj!!
Radhanath Swami truly practices what he preaches in his discourses.
A wonderful lesson to learn – to not judge anyone.
maharaj always stresses on being on guard against finding faults in other devotees by remembering and considering their good qualities and glorifying it…